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New Nugget Andre Iguodala shows some fancy footwork on big shot

In eight seasons with Philadelphia, Andre Iguodala played 25 games against the Detroit Pistons, averaging 14.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists. The Nuggets play their home opener Tuesday against Detroit at Pepsi Center. (Reuters file )

MIAMI — His feet Pacquiao'd the hardwood.

Pause. Wait. Nothing. Right foot, left foot, boom!

Andre Iguodala hit the biggest shot of the Nuggets' season so far — a potential game-winner Saturday night against the Heat, before Ray Allen spoiled it — and Dre did so because of his precise, potent pedals.

"I've been working on that specific shot," he said. "The hesitation pull-up, getting the defender on his back heels."

Lingering on the left wing, Iguodala angled his body to drive left on Heat star Dwyane Wade. What happened next was lightning fast. Iguodala punched the floor with his back right foot. He jabbed left with his left foot, as though he was going to dart by Wade. But instead, Iguodala planted that left step and rose in the air, splashing a 20-footer with 14.1 seconds left, giving Denver a one-point lead.

As Nuggets fan @hitthemtnco tweeted at that moment: "A.I. just became a Nugget with that shot."

Unfortunately for the Nuggets, Allen ruined the night, converting a four-point play with 6.7 seconds left in Miami's 119-116 victory.

Iguodala's shot, while not a game-winner, capped off a big shooting night — 9-of-15 for a team-high 22 points — after two dismal shooting performances to open the season.

"It's something for me I have to carry (forward) and have the same aggression night in, night out," said Iguodala, whose team plays Detroit in Tuesday's home opener at the Pepsi Center. "I'm starting to kind of get it back. It's going to take some more games, but I'm going to have the same mind-set."

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Which doesn't mean Nuggets fans should expect Iguodala to start scoring like Carmelo Anthony, in the 25- to 35-point range. As Wade said: "He's in a system in Denver where he doesn't have to be the main guy. He can be the player he is, a guy who can get 11 rebounds, 11 assists, 11 points, those kind of numbers. It takes a little pressure from his mind and let's go out and play, and just be the amazing, unbelievable athlete he is."

Iguodala struggled in his first two games with the Nuggets who are 0-3. In the season opener at Philadelphia, he shot 5-for-13. At Orlando, he was 3-for-10.

His 22-point night Saturday was his first 20-point game in his past six against the Heat. He made a Wade-like shot over Wade. And he defended Wade pretty well. LeBron James too. Iguodala, a shooting guard, spent time on both guys. Wade finished 5-for-12 (14 points) and James was 8-for-17 (20 points).

"They're a tough bunch over there," Miami's Chris Bosh said of the Nuggets. "They were really scrappy."

The Nuggets don't need compliments. They need a win after starting 0-3 for the first time in six years. Perhaps it will be the Pistons who land on the hardwood, after Iguodala's feet punch it first.

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